Oakland Raiders: A definitive case for Jim Plunkett’s enshrinement in Canton

Argument #1: Doesn’t Have a Winning Record

This is one that some folks will most frequently cite as proof positive that Plunkett has no place in the Hall of Fame. Quarterbacks with losing records aren’t the best, they say.

We could go through and parse the records of every quarterback currently enshrined in Canton but for the purposes of this article, we’re focusing simply on one quarterback who is a Hall of Famer and a contemporary of Plunkett’s — Namath.

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Plunkett’s career record as a quarterback is 72-72. While it’s true that a .500 record isn’t anything to write home about, if that’s what you’re staking your argument to keep Plunkett out on, think again and come up with a different argument.

Namath, an undisputed Hall of Famer in the eyes of many, if not all, has a career record that stands at 62-63-4. Namath, an unquestioned Hall of Famer by most everybody on this planet, doesn’t have a winning record.

Let’s say that again since it seems somewhat important to those who say Plunkett shouldn’t be enshrined because he does not have a winning career record — Joe Namath has a career losing record. As in, he has fewer wins than he does losses.

If having a career winning record is among your criteria for induction into the Hall of Fame, then you should probably immediately petition Canton to have Namath’s bust removed.

While maybe not the strongest selling point for his induction, at least Plunkett doesn’t have a losing record.